PropertyValue
rdf:type
rdfs:label
  • Cassel, Nord
rdfs:comment
  • Cassel (from Flemish; Kassel in modern Dutch spelling) is a commune in the Nord départment in northern France. Built on a prominent hill overlooking French Flanders, the town has existed since Roman times. It was developed by the Romans into an important urban centre and was the focus of a network of roads, which are still in use today, that converge on the hill. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cassel became an important fortified stronghold for the rulers of Flanders which was repeatedly fought over before finally being annexed to France in the 17th century. It was the headquarters of Marshal Ferdinand Foch during part of the First World War. In 1940, during the German invasion of France, Cassel was the scene of a fierce three-day battle between British and German forces which resulte
owl:sameAs
dcterms:subject
elevation-m
  • 90
dbkwik:military/property/wikiPageUsesTemplate
map caption
  • Location of Cassel in the arrondissement of Dunkirk
canton
  • Cassel
Name
  • Cassel
Caption
  • Grande Place, Cassel
population date
  • 1999
Region
  • Nord-Pas-de-Calais
arrondissement
  • Dunkirk
Population
  • 2298
elevation max m
  • 176
Term
  • 2001
Postal code
  • 59670
Mayor
  • René Decoots
native name
  • Kassel
Latitude
  • 50.800600
INSEE
  • 59135
Longitude
  • 2.488300
Department
Area km
  • 12.650000
intercommunality
abstract
  • Cassel (from Flemish; Kassel in modern Dutch spelling) is a commune in the Nord départment in northern France. Built on a prominent hill overlooking French Flanders, the town has existed since Roman times. It was developed by the Romans into an important urban centre and was the focus of a network of roads, which are still in use today, that converge on the hill. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cassel became an important fortified stronghold for the rulers of Flanders which was repeatedly fought over before finally being annexed to France in the 17th century. It was the headquarters of Marshal Ferdinand Foch during part of the First World War. In 1940, during the German invasion of France, Cassel was the scene of a fierce three-day battle between British and German forces which resulted in much of the town being destroyed. Today the town, which was rebuilt following the war, is a popular destination for visitors to French Flanders. It is renowned for its extensive views from the summit of Mont Cassel and is the location of the Nord départment's principal museum of local art, history and folklore. It is also the home of the legendary giants Reuze-Papa and Reuze-Maman, which are paraded in effigy each Easter during the town's annual carnival.
is Battles of